Page 40 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

The smile she cast him did something strange and wonderful to his heart. Ordinarily, that would frighten him, drive him from the room. But since he’d never seen a more amazed and contented expression on a lover’s face, he merely pushed that thought to the back of his mind. Instead he kissed her. Knowing she was tasting herself on his lips stirred him even further.

“You were a joy to watch, Lizzie.”

She played with the hair at the back of his neck. “What about you?”

“Oh, don’t worry, sweeting, we are not finished.” He scattered kisses over her damp face, loving how she’d allowed him to introduce her to lovemaking. An honor.

His hand cupped her face as he studied her. “Since you had no mother, has anyone told you what to expect?”

“My chaperone attempted to dissuade me from walking in dark gardens with a gentleman by warning me coupling was painful.” She frowned, her sweet face tense.

“Yes and no.”

She tilted her head and studied him.

“The first time will be painful, but only for a very short time. Merely seconds as I break through your maidenhead. I promise you pleasure afterwards. Again, you might be a bit sore later, but nothing that a warm bath won’t cure.”

Lizzie turned her head to the side, her face flushed.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

She chewed her lip, looking adorable. “It’s a bit embarrassing to have a man explain that to me.”

Instead of chuckling, which he was wont to do, he turned her head to look at him. “No matter. It is not your fault you haven’t been instructed. Let me show you how much more there is to enjoy.”

Before she could think too hard on the slight pain she would feel, he kissed her and, rising on his elbows, placed his cock at her entrance. Slowly, he eased forward, the way made easy by his earlier efforts.

…

Lizzie tensed as Hawk nudged her center with his member. When he had first undressed, she’d doubted it would fit inside her. But then she became mesmerized with it and had to touch it. It was certainly an odd thing. Springing upright from a nest of dark curly hair, it had soft skin, hard underneath with a spongy sort of top. A slight drop of liquid like a small pearl had been at its center. Odd. Although, since Hawk had lived with it his entire life, he probably didn’t think too much about it.

The time had come to see if it really did fit. Admittedly she was a bit concerned about the pain part of the p

rocess. Hopefully, her chaperone had been exaggerating to impress upon her the necessity of purity, and Hawk was right that the pain would be minimal. Considering some of the other things Miss Wallace had told her, she would wager Hawk’s explanation was closer to the truth. Or perhaps she just wished it was so.

She had no more time to think on it as with one quick movement, Hawk surged forward and entered her completely. She jumped at a small pinch and sucked in a breath. Tears stung her eyes.

Hawk stopped and studied her face. “Are you all right, darling? I really hate to hurt you, but nothing could be done for it.” The concern in his eyes warmed her heart.

“A slight nip was all.” She took a deep breath, glad that part of it was over. “Are you finished?”

Her body shook when Hawk laughed. “No, my dear, I am not finished. We have a way to go yet.” He bent his head and covered her mouth with his lips, which soon had her forgetting about the bit of pain.

Bracing himself on his elbows, his hips began to move back and forth, his thickness sliding in and out of her opening. The feelings were strange at first, having another person’s part inside her own body, but soon turned into something quite pleasurable. He moved his tongue in and out of her mouth in the same rhythm as his hips.

She closed her eyes as all her attention gathered at her center. Wonderful feelings were taking over. Her breathing increased as Hawk pulled away from her mouth to scatter kisses along her jawline and under her ear. He murmured words of her beauty, his desire for her, his joy in their coupling. His hand found her breast and squeezed the nipple, increasing her pleasure.

Every bit of her focus was on what he was doing, his movements and thrusts, and how good it had begun to feel again. She fisted her fingers in his hair and brought his head down to her lips. “Don’t stop. Please. Don’t ever stop.”

He covered her mouth with his, nipping, kissing, sucking until she was wound so tight she could barely take in a breath. She grew closer to that wonderful feeling again.

Hawk groaned. “My love, I am so sorry, but I cannot hold out any longer. I have wanted you under me, writhing and panting, for too long.”

She wasn’t exactly sure what he meant, but her body immediately lost control at his words and wave after wave of pleasure washed over her, like the last time, but stronger. Before she could fully appreciate it, she lost his warmth when Hawk thrust one more time, then withdrew, spilling himself on her belly.

He rested his head on her shoulder, his deep breaths matching hers. Lazily, she ran her fingers through his dampened hair. This lassitude felt wonderful. Nothing was important right now. Not the Home Office, not the person out to harm her, not the threat of prison. She was warm, safe, and in the arms of a man she could love.

A dangerous thought, that. She needed to remember he was also the man ordered to bring her to London to be questioned—and possibly placed in prison.